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In a press conference on Thursday, State Reps. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) and Mike Curtin (D- Marble Cliff) called for an end to the hyper-partisan voter ID proposals circulating in the Ohio General Assembly.

Rep. Curtin highlighted the need for leaders to work together to craft common sense election policies that would make voting easy:

“We know that there is no evidence of voter fraud. Photo ID is a solution in search of a problem. We should be able to have a civil conversation in the General Assembly about these policies, and create elections laws that are reasonable and easy to follow.”

Rep. Clyde emphasized that voter ID policies will limit access to voting and will likely cost Ohio’s taxpayers millions of dollars to implement:

“There is no justification for requiring a photo ID in order to vote. Up to twenty percent of current voters do not have such an ID. Furthermore, addressing this problem will cost taxpayers as much as $43 million over four years. There is simply no bipartisan reason for Ohio to pass a voter ID law.”

Both lawmakers urged their colleagues not to pass any further changes to election laws without considerable bipartisan support.

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) today introduced House Bill 637, the Ohio Future Voter Act, which would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote. Under the bill, pre-registered Ohioans would automatically be added to the state voter rolls before the next primary or general election in which they are eligible to vote.

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) today announced her new plan to close secret money loopholes, increase transparency and strengthen the ban on foreign money in Ohio elections with new legislation, the Ohio Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act, or DISCLOSE ACT.

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) today announced the release of over $1.23 million in state funds for various area projects, including improvements at the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Kent State University (KSU) and Camp Ravenna.